You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/Cat Licking and Weird Behavior

Advertisement

Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Jennifer Fry

JB wrote at 2009-09-10 19:56:14
The content of this reply from Dr Fry is utter rubbish, and dangerous too. Cats should not routinely be given oral diazepam (valium) because it can cause fatal liver failure. This drug is not a standard treatment for hyperaesthesia, and neither are any of the others mentioned.  Natural diets are not indicated, and flower essences have absolutely no demonstrable benefit. FHS is not like the stereotypical behaviour of zoo animals, which may be compulsive. it probably has a neurological basis and should be treated as a serious medical problem with welfare consequences for the animal. Dr Fry should be ashamed to write this rubbish

Dr. M wrote at 2010-04-29 02:53:12
My cat Maddie also demonstrated this odd behavior.  She is also 2 years old and she is not spayed.  We noticed that this was related to our other cat, Callie, who had been spraying around the house and had become quite aggressive.  We solved the problem by setting up an additional food/litter station in an extra bedroom and let Maddie go in there for the night. When she is out, we watch the cats to make sure Callie does not bother her. When Callie gets aggressive, I grab the skin on her neck and gently push her to the floor until she rolls over.  This mimics what a mother cat would do to keep her kitten in line and show her who is the boss.  Both cats seem a lot happier and more relaxed now.  

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jennifer Fry

Expertise

As a small animal veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer L. Fry is dedicated to high quality medicine, compassionate patient care, teamwork, client and staff education as well as celebration of the human-animal bond.Her special interests are internal medicine, behavioral medicine and alternative therapies. Dog and cat questions only, please

Experience

Dr. Fry just opened her own veterinary hospital called Banfield, the Pet Hospital of Pottstown inside the NEW PetSmart located Pottstown, PA just off Route 100 where we treat Pets like Family. Dr. Fry performs internal medicine work-ups, emergency treatments, soft-tissue surgery and prophylactic dentals on feline and canine patients. Dr. Fry has completed her certification as a Veterinary Chiropractitioner and has taken Level I Reiki. Dr. Fry enjoys working with Trap-Neuter-Return programs for feral cats in Berks County and volunteers for spay/neuter clinics. Dr. Fry is a big advocate of nutritional supplements and alternative therapies. She currently recommends Transfer Factor to boost the immune system naturally to fight off disease ... http://www.4tf-pets.com/testimonials.htm www.transferfactor.com Dr. Fry attended University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia, PA where she received her Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) degree in 1998. She also attended Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with Departmental Honors and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1994. Dr. Fry is currently involved in the following associations: American Veterinary Medical Association, Cornell Feline Health Center, Delta Society, Fairchild Foundation of Wyomissing, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, National Center for Homeopathy and Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.